Posted in Aggressive Driving,Car Accident,Drunk Driving,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on July 28, 2015
Smyrna Man Arrested for DUI, Vehicular Assault after Crash
A 30-year-old man from Smyrna, Tennessee, was arrested by police after he caused a car accident in Murfreesboro that seriously injured another person Sunday morning.
A report by the Daily News Journal indicates that the accident occurred at the corner of Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Mercury Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. When police arrived at the scene of the accident, they noticed that the man’s eyes were bloodshot and that he smelled of alcohol.
After failing multiple field sobriety tests and refusing to take a blood alcohol test, police were able to obtain a warrant to draw the man’s blood for testing. He was then arrested for driving under the influence, violation of implied consent, vehicular assault, and driving on a suspended license.
According to police, the other driver who was injured in the accident was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by LifeFlight helicopter for treatment. That driver was not identified in the police report and his or her condition is currently unknown.
How Can You Decrease Your Chances of Being Involved in a DUI Accident?
Drunk driving accidents pose significant risks to everyone who uses Tennessee’s roadways. Despite law enforcement efforts to crack down on drunk and intoxicated drivers, it’s impossible for them to catch them all—and that means many drivers get behind the wheel while impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications.
To help reduce your risk of being involved in a DUI accident, do your best to follow these tips:
If you’ve been drinking or taking medication:
Consuming any amount of alcohol can put you at risk of experiencing the effects of intoxication, including impaired reaction times, blurry vision, increased risk taking, and aggressive driving behaviors. If you’re planning on consuming alcohol, always have a designated driver on hand to help you and your loved ones get home safely.
Getting a designated driver for a safe ride home isn’t always an option. The next best thing is to call a cab for a safe ride home or take a bus. Many ride-sharing and cab companies can be easily accessed using smartphones and are available within minutes after placing a call.
Just because a medication is prescribed by a doctor doesn’t make it safe to use when driving. Many prescription medications can effects similar to alcohol, including drowsiness, impaired vision or judgment, and delayed reaction times.
If you’re driving sober:
The best way to avoid being involved in an accident caused by a drunk or impaired driver is to avoid driving during times when they’re most likely to be on the road. That means staying at home if possible during late night or early morning hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
If you see a vehicle swerving, speeding up and slowing down erratically, it may be a sign that the driver is intoxicated. When safe to do so, call 911 and report the vehicle, including the road it’s traveling on, the license plate number, the make and model, and any other identifying features. Helping police get just a single drunk or intoxicated driver off the road can help save lives.
Avoiding drunk driving accidents is a two-way street. Not only should you take all precautions necessary to avoid driving while intoxicated yourself, but you should also follow a few precautions to avoid other potential drunk drivers as well.
The Murfreesboro car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law have helped many innocent victims of drunk or intoxicated drivers, and we know that their negligence and reckless behavior can cause debilitating and life-changing injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured by a drunk or impaired driver, we want to do everything in our power to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with us by dialing (615) 600-4941 or fill out a free online form.
